Lackadaisical approach

The last presidential election was targeted by Russia and others. The alleged purpose was to sway the results towards Donald Trump. Allegations claim that hackers gained access to 21 state voting systems, although reportedly no votes were changed in those systems.

These breaches were the most direct attack on the election process. Yet, during the campaign, other attacks occurred. False news, fake endorsements and the like were disseminated to confuse and influence votes in favor of Trump.

Some call the efforts “meddling.” Others call them direct assaults on American democracy. After all the accusations and reactions, handwringing and declarations, little has been done to defend the electoral process from more attacks in the future.

This fall another election will be conducted. Many offices in the country are open. Most significantly the makeup of Congress is in the balance.

In December 2017, Sen James Lankford from Oklahoma introduced the Secure Elections Act. The bill has bipartisan support. It is now in the Committee on Rules and Administration. His bill would tighten electoral protections.

It is still in committee. Also, no direct mandate from the president has been issued to investigate and secure the election process.

Ultimately, individual states have the responsibility to conduct and protect elections. They jealously protect and defend that role. Nevertheless, the federal government can make tremendously important contributions to the effort.

The Secure Elections Act, although not an answer to everything, could have some value in three areas: promoting better information sharing about threats, funding improvements to state election systems and establishing a “bug” bounty on uncovering new threats and weaknesses.

Protecting the integrity of the country’s elections is vital. There should be no higher priority, especially now that international interference and domestic doubt casting makes many in the country question the legitimacy of certain elections.

The flagrant assault on American democracy comes from many quarters. The cyber quarter is a relatively new one, but it can be the most devastating.

The country’s sovereignty is nothing to take lightly. The lackadaisical approach to battle the threat is hard to fathom.

The world would be a different place if America had been as complacent after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher